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THE ELIMINATION OF ILLITERACY 
IN DALE COUNTY 

REPORT OF A VISIT OF THE 
RURAL SCHOOL AGENT 




THE OLDEST PUPIL— MT. HEBRON SCHOOL. "SO I CAN READ MY BIBLE 
AND EXPLAIN IT FOR MYSELF." (See page 27.) 



PUBLISHED BY 

THE ALABAMA ILLITERACY COMMISSION 



JULY 19, 1915 



BROWN PRINTING CO. MONTGOMERY. 



C/s 



ILLITERACY IN ALABAMA— LET'S REMOTE IT. 






ALABAMA ILLITERACY COMMISSION. 

Hon Wm. D. Jelks, President Birmingham 

Hon. James B. Ellis Selma 

Miss Mary N. Moore Athens 

Mrs. W. K. Linscott .Mobile 

Wm. F. Feagin, Sec.-Treas Montgomery 

Mrs. E. D. Thames, Field Agent Greenville 

a; fir n. 

OCT 13 f9l5 



ILLITERACY IN ALABAMA— LET'S REMOVE IT. 



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FOREWORD 



N OUR illiteracy campaign two questions are in- 
variably asked, no matter where you go. First, 
have you a concrete illustration of any success- 
ful work going on right here in Alabama? Sec- 
ond, if so, what is being done and how were the illiter- 
ates prevailed upon to enter the adult schools. 

The state of the public mind and the attitude of the 
volunteer teaching force are such that if we can answer 
these questions satisfactorily, the movement will re- 
ceive a decided impetus both in interest and activity, 
while on the other hand if we delay answering them 
there will most probably be a let-up in the enthusiasm 
with which the work is being planned and carried out. 

The purpose of the report, therefore, is not to recount 
the history of the movement nor to trace its progress, 
for that would require a much larger volume, but merely 
to show what is actually being done in one of our typi- 
cal Alabama counties to remove its adult illiteracy. 

The facts, the findings, and the illustrations are gen- 
uine and true to life and it is my belief that they will 
prove inspirational and suggestive to all those who de- 
sire to enter into the spirit of the slogan — Illiteracy 
in Alabama — Let's Remove it. 




a 3 . 





Supt of Education. 



Montgomery, Ala v July 10, 1915. 

Supt. Wm. F. Feagin, 

Department of Education, 
Montgomery, Alabama. 

Dear Sir: I am herewith submitting a report of an 
official visit to Dale county, July 6-8. 

I filled engagements at Pinckard, July 6 ; at Echo, 
Morgan and Beeman schools, July 7 ; and at Bethel and 
Mt. Hebron schools, July 8. 

I discussed the subject of illiteracy at Pinckard and 
Beeman. At the last named place a plan for the organ- 
ization of a school for adults was presented by Supt, 
R. L. Marchman, who accompanied me during the time 
I was in his county. 

The purpose of the meeting at Morgan school was to 
discuss the advantages of consolidation of schools with 
the view of bringing together three schools within walk- 
ing distances of each other. Those present received the 
plan very favorably. 

I had the privilege of seeing some interesting work 
which was being done in the adult schools at Echo, Beth- 
el and Mt. Hebron. This special report is to tell 
you of the observations made and of the campaign plan- 
ned by the Dale County Illiteracy Commission. 

The Echo School for Adults. 

This school is located in the extreme eastern part of 
the county, about eleven miles from Ozark. Prof. E. T. 
Riley, who is now teaching a two-month summer term 
completing the regular seven-month session begun last 
year, is a native of that particular section of Dale 
county. 

When the Superintendent of Education called for vol- 
unteers to undertake the work of removing illiteracy in 



G 



his county, Prof. Kiley responded, requesting that he 
be permitted to labor at Echo, his home district, with 
his own kith and kin and the friends of his boyhood. 
The requested assignment was given him. 

The school has been in session nine days. The chil- 
dren of the district, ninety-one in number, are taught 
from 7 a. m. to 3 p. m. The adults assemble a little be- 
fore three o'clock and begin their work at that hour. 

At present there are thirteen attending the adult 
school. Their ages range from 34 to 63 years. Three of 




THE ECHO SCHOOL— PUPILS AT WORK. THE MAN IN FRONT IS A 

TRUSTEE. HE RECENTLY SIGNED HIS SCHOOL REPORT, THE 

FIRST ONE HE HAS EVER SIGNED. (See page 31.) 

them told me that they had never been to school before, 
two said that they had attended school a few days when 
they were children, but could neither read nor write. 
The education of four others is so meagre that they are 
properly classified illiterates. The remaining five could 
read and write. 

The names and ages of those enrolled are as follows : 



S. J. Amons 55 years 

Mrs. S. J. Amons 48 vears 



Mrs. Mary A. Riley 53 

Mrs. Jane Riley 56 

Mrs. Lizzie Stuckey 49 

Mrs. Sallie Stuckey 63 

Mrs. Nancy Roney 55 

Henry Woodham 41 

Mrs. Lucinda Woodham 35 

Morris Boothe 34 

Marvin Driggers 36 

Mrs. Elifore Deal 60 

Mrs. Samantha Coker 62 



years 
years 
years 
years 
years 
years 
years 
years 
years 
years 
years 







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FOUR GRANDMOTHERS AND THEIR GRANDCHILDREN. 
THE SAME SCHOOL 



ALL ATTEND 



In the above list are the names of four grandmothers, 
each of whom has two or more grand- children in the reg- 
ular school. The roll also shows the names of two 
couples who attend the adult school and who have en- 
rolled all of their children in the public school. One of 
these couples has two children, the other has five. The 
father of the five children is a trustee of the school he 
is attending. He has just learned to write his name. 
A few days ago he walked into Supt. Marchman's office 



and said, "Did you see our school report?" "Yes," re- 
plied the superintendent. "Well," he replied, "I signed 
it and nobody didn't help me neither," and concluded 
his remarks, with, "I show am proud of it." (See page 
31.) 

The teacher of this school is certainly making good 
use of the opportunity before him. He has already suc- 
ceeded in teaching his class to sign their names, and is 
now teaching them to read and write simple words. 

Some of the "grown-ups" are using the primers of 
their children, others are learning to read the school 




TWO FAMILIES. THE CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOL FROM 7 a. m. to 3 p. m. 
THE PARENTS, FROM 3 p. m. TO 5 p. m. 

chart. One old lady had brought a newspaper to the 
school. She and another woman about the same age 
were trying to read the simple words in large type ad- 
vertisements. 

"How would you like to receive a paper printed in 
words that you could read?" I asked. 

"I show would be glad to get it," was the reply, with a 
smile of appreciation. 

As these grown pupils were leaving the grounds after 
school, one of them, a woman about forty-five years of 



age, passed near me. I spoke to her. She stopped for 

a conversation, for most of them are willing to talk. 

While conversing with her I noticed that she held in 

her hand a small J. & P. Coats' thread box, upon which 

a name had been scribbled in every available space. 

Pointing to the box, I said, "What is that?" 

"My 'speck' box," she answered. "I wrote my name on 

it the third day I was in school. Tillman set the copy." 

"I would like to have that box. I want to show my 




THE FEMALE PUPILS OF THE ECHO SCHOOL 

friends how well you have learned to write in so short 
a time." 

Promptly removing her spectacles she presented the 
box, saying, "Take it, I can get a 'nuther one." 

"What do you think of the idea of opening the schools 
to grown people?" I asked an old man who stood near- 
by watching me load my kodak. 

"I think that 'tis the best thing ever done in this coun- 
ty." Commenting further, he said, "You need not think 



10 

them folks are not learning for they are. I am surprised 
that they can learn." Then followed the proof of the 
assertion that they are learning. He concluded by say- 
ing, "I am show there'll be lots more in school when they 
get through laying-by. There are lots more round here 
who can't read and write." 

Another of the older citizens remarked in my hear- 
ing, "This is the best school we ever had taught here — 




A NEW PUPIL. SETTING A COPY. 



everybody is talking 'bout it." He referred to both the 
adult and regular school. 

"Why are you in school?" was asked of a grand- 
mother fifty-eight years of age. 

"Cause I want to read and write like other folks." 

Another elderly woman said, "I want to read the 
Bible and sing the songs out of the book." 

"Do you know of others who will attend the school?" 
was asked of a male pupil. 



11 

"Yes, some of my tenants can't read and write, I want 
to get them to come, I am willing to help 'em out so they 
can get off." 

I was told by a reliable party that at a recent elec- 
tion held in Dale county to determine the question of 
eradicating the cattle tick, one man, who resides in the 
territory of an adult school, called for a marker and 
said, "This is the last time anybody's going to mark my 
ticket. I am going to school and learn how myself." 




MRS. JANE RILEY. SIX DAYS IN SCHOOL. 

The adult school at Echo is quite democratic. The 
absence of all formality is very apparent. The teacher 
and male pupils leave their coats at home and the 
women come to school dressed in their regular home 
dresses. All titles are omitted by teacher and pupil in 
addressing each other. The teacher calls his pupils by 
their given names. For example : Mary, Jane, Henry. 
In turn, he is called Tillman by them. Most of his pupils 
have known him all of his life. 



12 



I asked Prof. Riley what effect the adult school was 
having on attendance upon the regular school. He re- 
plied : 

''There are sixty-one pupils in this district — fifty-nine 
of them have been enrolled. One is sick and there is 
a satisfactory reason why the other one is not attending. 
In addition to the fifty-nine, I have enrolled thirty-two 
pupils who live in other districts. My total enrollment 
is ninety-one, not including the thirteen adults. 




THE TEACHER; HIS MOTHER, WHO HAS JUST SIGNED HER NAME FOR 
THE FIRST TIME IN FORTY YEARS ; AND HIS THREE CHILDREN. 

"Do they attend regularly?" 

"They do, and the discipline of the school is excel- 
lant." Then turning to another part of the room, he 
said, "Come over here, I want you to meet my mother. 
She is one of my pupils. She is fifty-six years of age 
;iikI wrote her name a few days ago for the first time in. 
forty years. I have three children in school." 

"I wonder if you and your mother will permit me to 
make a picture of the three generations and consent for 



13 



me to use the picture as I go about over the State tell- 
ing others of the good work you are doing?" 

"We certainly will. If the picture will help the cause, 
take it and make the best possible use of it." 

The time spent at the Echo school was filled with in- 
teresting incidents. I haven't time to relate more of 
them, for I must hasten to relate experiences of the day 
following, which were equally as interesting to me. 

While enroute to another appointment we met a dis- 
trict trustee, who referred to the school at Echo and 
asked, "Why can't we have one of them schools?" 




FOUR PUPILS EN ROUTE TO THE ECHO SCHOOL. 



Supt. Marchman replied, "The teacher of your sum- 
mer school will be here next week. If she will not teach 
the adults, I shall endeavor to find some one who will." 
And the trustee said, "I'll go if it is started." 
We spent Wednesday night at Ozark and I went 
to Newton Thursday morning. Prof. Marchman had 
told me of two schools near there, in which only illiter- 
ates and near-illiterates were enrolled. In other words, 
there was no unfinished public school term being taught. 
These are the Bethel and Mt. Hebron schools, and the 



14 

teachers are two young ladies, who live in Newton with- 
in one hundred yards of each other. 

The Bethel School for Adults. 

Immediately upon arriving at Newton, I called at the 
home of Miss Cordie Vickers, the young lady who is 
teaching the adult school at Mt. Hebron. I was inform- 



MISS CORA STEWART AND HER MOTHER. "CORA TALKS ABOUT THE 
SCHOOL ALL THE TIME." 

ed by her sister that she was in the country teaching 
grown people, and was staying out there with them. 

I then went to the home next door. In response to 
my knock, a stately young woman about five feet, seven 
inches tall, with dark eyes and brown hair and possess- 
ed of a bright smiling face, greeted me with a gracious, 
"Good morning." I was in the presence of Miss Cora 
Stewart, the young teacher who is doing a work of love 
for the less fortunate people of the Bethel School dis- 
trict. 



15 



"You must excuse my personal appearance," she said, 
as she brushed the tresses of hair from a face flushed 
from heat, "I was just making a fire in the stove to 
cook dinner. Mother and I have been at work putting 
the yard in order this morning, and I do not feel pre- 
sentable." 

"Never mind your personal appearance," I replied. 
"You are presentable, however. Even if you were not I 




THE BETHEL SCHOOL.— STUDY HOUR. 



would not observe it, for I am thinking of what you are 
and what you are doing. Sit down and tell me about 
your school for adults. I have heard of your work and 
want to learn more about it in order that I may tell 
other interested teachers who would do a similar work 
if they only knew how." 

"What prompted you to enlist in this work?" I in- 
quired. 

"I felt that I wanted to help the people who wanted 
to learn. I think we teachers and any others who love 



16 

humanity can afford to give of our time and talent to 
those grown people who want to learn and are willing to 
go to school." 

"Would you mind telling me your age, where you 
were educated, and something of your experience as a 
teacher?" 

"Why no ! I am twenty years of age, was educated at 
the Baptist Collegiate Institute of this place, and taught 
last year at Kobinet school. It was my first experience 
as a teacher." 

"Where is the Bethel school, and why did you decide 
to take the work there?" 

"It is about four miles from Newton. I am teaching 
there because the county superintendent assigned me 
to that school. You see, I volunteered." 

"Yes, Supt. Marchman is doing a great deal of work 
in the campaign and these unlettered people appreciate 
it too." And then in a burst of enthusiasm, she con- 
tinued, "Why, those are the most appreciative people 
I ever saw. It makes you feel so good to work with 
them." 

"Are they learning?" was asked. 

''You would be surprised to see how readily they do 
catch on. They are so faithful, they are certain to 
learn." 

She then arose, rushed into her room and brought out 
some specimens of penmanship. "This was done in two 
days; this in one, and this in three." 

"You do not mean to tell me that illiterates did that 
work?" I asked. 

"Yes sir, I do. Not one of the three has ever been to 
school or has ever written his name before. Of course, 
they learn this by following the copy. It is mechanical 
with them now, but they will learn to write. I have 
no doubt of it." 

"If you hear anybody say that it can't be done, tell 
them it can. If they say 'grown-ups' do not want to 



17 



learn, tell them they do not know the hearts of such 
people." 

"Two of my grown boys came by this morning and 
asked what books to get. They had ridden six miles so 
as to be ready for this afternoon's session of school." 

"What did you tell them to get." 

"A first reader. You see they are so anxious to read. 
I am teaching them the words from the blackboard and 
chart." 



h& '**> &+c. Qoi n A- 




V 








FINDING WORDS IN THE BIBLE. THE TEACHER PRINTS AND WRITES 

WORDS ON THE BOARD. THE PUPIL IS GIVEN THE CHAPTER 

CONTAINING THE WORDS AND SENTENCES AND ASKED 

TO FIND THEM. 

"Have you ever tried teaching them the easy words in 
newspaper advertisements?" 

"No. I am so glad you suggested that plan. I'll try 
it. I tell you what I am doing for some who are anxious 
to read the Bible, and most of the older ones are. I am 
putting simple words on the board and asking them 
to find the words in the Bible. Someties it takes a long 



18 



time, but not a single one has yet failed. They look 
until the word is found and then I am given the pleasure 
of hearing the joyous 'Here it is.' " 

"One of my pupils swapped work with a neighboring 
farmer last week in order that he could get off this week 
to enter school. Do you not think he was anxious to 
come?" 

"How do you get to your school?" I asked. 

"Yes, I want to tell you of a little boy, one of my 
pupils of last winter's school, who drives me to Bethel 











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BEN WORD, THE ASSISTANT. 



every afternoon. His name is Ben Word. He is my as- 
sistant and is just as enthusiastic about the school as 
I am." 

"Do you mean that he assists you in teaching?" 
"Yes, and is successful. The pupils call on him. As 
we came home from school the first afternoon, Ben said 
to me, 'Miss Cora, I have never seen anything like this 
since I have been in the world.' " 



19 



"We leave home about 12:30 p. m. every day. We 
drive the mule. You see crops are about laid by now. 
I open school at 2:30 and teach until 5:00 o'clock. 1 
always like to get to the school before the pupils ar- 
rive, but it seems to be impossible. Most of them are 
waiting for me when I get there." 

Supt. Marchman joined me at noon. We went to the 
Bethel school to be present at the afternoon session. 
About one-half mile from the schoolhouse Miss Stewart 




SEEKING A NEW SCHOLAR. "I'LL BE THERE NEXT WEEK, MISS CORA, 
ON MONDAY MORNING. LOOK FOR ME." 

had stopped and was talking to a farmer about enter- 
ing school. She was seeking a new pupil. As we ap- 
proached them, he said, "Well, I have about finished my 
work now and I am going to school next Monday. When 
I do begin I am going every day." 

Miss Stewart introduced me to him. He remarked to 
Supt. Marchman, "This is the greatest thing that's ever 
been put on foot in Alabama. It looks like somebody 



20 



is going to work for nothing, to help the poor fellow 
who didn't have the chance." 

"Can you write your name?" I inquired. 

"No sir, and I am sorry to say I can't read a line." 

Then followed this story : 

"I am fifty-eight years old. I was four years old 
when the war came on. My father had just moved to 
Alabama from South Carolina. He had bought a farm 
and paid $900.00 on it. It was under mortgage for the 




WHILE AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF THE TEACHER, THEY INSTRUCT 
EACH OTHER. 

balance. He left for the war and was killed. Then I 
had to help my mother with a family of seven other 
children, and I have never had a chance till this day." 

As we left, he said, "I'll be there next week Miss Cora, 
on Monday morning. Look for me." 

As we approached the school building "the scholars" 
were awaiting the arrival of "our teacher." As I enter- 
ed the building with Miss Stewart, I observed one young 
fellow attempting to follow a copy set by another who 



21 

had evidently been in school a day or two longer. A 
number of others were looking on. 

In observing the work of the afternoon, I learned that 
when one of the pupils gets an idea or learns anything, 
he is eager to give it to another. In this way, they are 
teaching each other at the same time that they are being 
taught. 

While in the Bethel school I asked a married woman, 
apparently about forty years of age, why she wanted 
to learn to read and write. Her reply was, "So I can 
write to my mother, who lives forty miles away." 

"Do not let her know you are in school until you write 
your first letter, and then tell her in it that you have 
learned to write," I said. 

"I have done written her; I just couldn't help it." 

One elderly man who was reported to me by Miss 
Stewart, as having a fair education, told me that he 
had entered school to encourage others to come; that 
he was going to assist the teacher all he could by en- 
couraging her in her work. 

When I asked Miss Stewart for a roll of her pupils, 
this man remarked, "Don't forget to put down the name 
of Eli," and turning to me, he said, "He is my son-in- 
law. He was here yesterday and day before. He 
couldn't come today as he had to go to Newton to meet 
the train. He nearly cried because he had to miss 
school." 

"How old is your son-in-law?" 

"He is twenty-two years of age and had never been 
to school until Miss Cora began this school. He can 
sign his name now." 

The following roll of pupils with their ages and edu- 
cational advancement was supplied by Miss Stewart: 

Name and Age Education 

Mrs. Sarah Williams, 31 Illiterate 

Miss Fannie Williams, 39 Illiterate 

Cleveland Williams, 23 ,. Illiterate 



22 

Bud Williams, 25 Illiterate 

Lonie Thomas Illiterate 

J. H. Thomas, 17 Illiterate 

Henry Thweatt, 24 Meager 

Bennie Lee Smith, 17 Meager 

Miss Onie Dunaway, 36 Illiterate 

J. R. Adkins, 41 Fair 

Sam Smith, 15 Meager 

Eli Butts, 22 Illiterate 

Jim Williams, 21 Illiterate 

Ramon Williams, 12 Illiterate 

Amos Williams, 11 Illiterate 

R. E. Williams, 37 Illiterate 

Irch Arkins, 29 Illiterate 

Cliff Ming, 17 Meager 

L.J. Thomas, 29 1 lliterate 

J. C. Smith, 20 Illiterate 

At 3 :30 o'clock, after having secured several views of 
the school and the pupils at work, Prof. Marchman and 
I drove to the Mt. Hebron school five miles away. 

Mt. Hebron Adult School. 

Miss Cordie Vickers, the young woman who is teach- 
ing this school, is about twenty-one years of age. Her 
home is at Newton. She has taught two sessions in the 
public schools of Dale county. Last session she was a 
pupil in the Baptist Collegiate Institute at Newton. 

When we arrived at the school the afternoon's work 
had been finished. Miss Vickers, having been previous- 
ly notified of our coming, was holding the pupils for 
us. 

"You too, are a volunteer in this campaign against il- 
literacy?" I said as I entered the building. 

"Yes," was her reply. "I had the privilege of attend- 
ing school last year and I saw in this work an opportu- 
nity to spend a part of my summer profitably, and at 
the same time, in serving others." 



23 

"How long has this school been in session?" 
"Only three days. You see we are just getting organ- 
ized." 

"Do you think you are going to enjoy the work?" 
"Oh, I know I shall. I already like it. It makes one 
feel so good to know that she is doing something that 
will help other people." 

"Do you spend the nights at home?" 

"No, I stay out here. I live around with the people. 




MISS CORDIE VICKERS THE TEACHER, WHO LIVES WITH HER PUPILS. 
"IN THIS WAY I GET A BETTER HOLD ON THEM." 



One of the men in school told me today that if I had 
rather stay at one place the people would raise the 
money to pay my board." 

"What are you going to do about it?" 

"I am going to continue to live around with them. 
You see, I can get a better hold on my pupils in that 
way." 



24 



"I want to show you what one of them did today in 
the way of writing his name on the board," and there on 
the board I saw a name which was very easily read. 

"I set a copy for him yesterday. He practiced on it 
last night and today was able to go to the board and 
write it without the copy." 

"Can that pupil read?" 

"No, he cannot read. He has never been to school 
before. I have just given him his first lesson in reading, 
and I feel sure he is going to learn. There is one thing 




THE MT. HEBRON SCHOOL— THE THIRD DAY AFTER ITS ORGANIZATION. 

about these grown-up pupils, which is encouraging. 
They believe they are going to learn." 

"How long are you going to teach this school?" 
"Just as long as my pupils will come. Of course, I 
mean during the summer." 

"How many pupils have you enrolled?" 
"We opened school with seven, two others came yes- 
terday, two enrolled this morning, and three others 
this afternoon. "Look," she said, "There is one 
of my new pupils; there is another, and the woman 
back there with the baby in her arms is the third." 



25 

In the three persons designated, I saw two men, each 
of whom was fully fifty years of age, and a young 
mother of about twenty-one. 

"Can either of the three read and write?" 
"Only the man over there by the second window. By 
the way, he is one of the trustees of this school. The 
woman went to school for a little while in childhood. 
The gray haired man is wholly illiterate. 




A PRIMER CLASS. TEACHING THEM IN TERMS OE THEIR 
EXPERIENCES. 

"Here is the roll of the school. It will give some in- 
formation about each pupil." 

Name and Age Education 

Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, 60 Illiterate 

Mrs. Lizzie Nickols, 32 Meager 

J. O. Campbell, 30 Illiterate 

Vance Keele, 15 Illiterate 

Miss Joe Williams, 20 _ Illiterate 

Mrs. Jennie Clarke, 20 Meager 

Harrison Nickols, 14 Meager 



26 



Mrs. Martha Ann Deal, G3 Illiterate 

Jesse Gillis, 12 Meager 

J. F. Beasley, 58 Meager 

Doyle Crofford, 12 Meager 

J. W. Nichols, ( ?) ( ?) 

J. T. Cheshire, 13 Illiterate 

A. K. Beasley ( ?) Illiterate 

Supt. Marchman introduced ine to a middle-aged 
woman, who was at the school to encourage the work. 




MT. HEBRON SCHOOL— THE TEACHER IN THE DOORWAY. THE EX- 

SCHOOL-TEACHER WIFE, THE HUSBAND, THE TRUSTEE AND 

THE YOUNG MOTHER. "CAN I HOLD MY BABY 

IN THE PICTURE?" 



She impressed me as being possessed of intelligence 
above the average. In the course of a conversation with 
her, she told me that her husband was one of the new 
pupils, and said, "I am certainly interested in this work 
and am so glad that he is coming to school. I want him 
to learn to read and write." 

I was afterwards informed that this woman was a 
graduate of the old Columbia High School, a good in- 
stitution in its day, and that she had taught school for 



Zi 



a number of years and is now a strong factor for good 
in the community about Bethel school. 

Just then her husband approached and told the story 
of his life. It was another instance wherein the war 
took the father from the home, and the responsibility of 
supporting mother and the children fell upon the eldest 
boy's shoulders. "When I did get a chance to go," he 
said, "I was too old and ashamed. I am not ashamed 
now and I am coming." 

Miss Vickers introduced me to an old woman. In ap- 
pearance she was the oldest adult pupil I had seen in 
any of the schools visited. She must have been at least 
seventy years of age. 

"How old are you?" 

"I don't know," she said, "I think about sixty." 

"Have you ever been in school?" 

"I never had no chance," she replied in broken tones. 

"Why do you want to learn to read and write?" 

"So I can read my Bible and explain it for myself." 
(See title page.) 

. "Do you think you will be satisfied to come to school 
throughout the term?" 

"I know I will," was the reply feelingly given. 

As the sun was sinking in the West, the interesting 
little school teacher, the heroine of Mt. Hebron, walked 
down "the big road" to the home of one of her "no- 
chance" pupils to spend the night. 

Such work as hers appeals to me as a more patriotic 
service than doing duty in the trenches of some hotly 
contested battle field. 

The Dale Commission — Its Plans and Work. 

The Dale County Illiteracy Commission is composed 
of Supt. R. L. Marchman, Chairman, Pinckard; M. Dow- 
ling, Secretary, Ozark; Mrs. C. S. Daniels, Daleville; 
Dr. W. D. Mixson, Midland City; Miss Mary Dean, Ari- 
ton; Mrs. J. M. Carmichael, Ozark. 



28 

Supt Marchman recently issued a call for vol- 
unteers to teach. Several teachers have already offered 
their services and three schools are now in operation; 
two will be organized next Monday; and ten others 
within the next three weeks. 

Public meetings have been held in thirty school dis- 
tricts by the county superintendent of education, who 
is unusually active in pushing the campaign. The sec- 




NEVER IN SCHOOL BEFORE. 'DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE?" 

retary has delivered several addresses urging the im- 
portance of the movement. He and the other members 
are showing an active interest in the cause. These meet- 
ings have resulted in stimulating interest in the move- 
ment and an expressed desire from many districts for 
adult schools. 

The observations made while in the county lead me 
to believe that the chief need the commission now faces 
is an additional number of volunteer teachers to do the 



29 



work. The people are unquestionably ready for it. 

The campaign is being conducted along two specific 
lines. Teachers of unfinished public school terms are 
urged to open school earlier in the morning than is the 
custom in order to complete regular school work. The 
children are then dismissed and the adults are taught 
for two hours. Another, and probably a more effective 
plan, is to teach afternoon schools without any connec- 




SUPT. R. L. MARCHMAN AND THE DISTRICT TRUSTEE WHO ASKED, 
"WHY CAN'T WE HAVE ONE OF THEM SCHOOLS?" 

tion with summer schools for children of school age. 
Both plans are working successfully in the county. 

The plan of teaching those who will not attend school 
is to be begun in their homes, and at a later date, if con- 
ditions justify it, moonlight schools are to be organized. 

I desire to call special attention to the course being 
pursued in organizing the schools and the method em- 
ployed to secure an attendance of adults. 

Before a school is organized the superintendent se- 
cures the assistance of one or more of the district trus- 



30 

tees, the teacher, or some interested citizen, in making a 
house to house canvass of the district and in listing the 
names of all illiterate persons. A public meeting, to 
which a general invitation is given every person in the 
district, is then called. 

At some time during this meeting those present who 
will talk are given the opportunity to do so. Good re- 
sults are secured when this meeting resolves itself into 
an old time experience meeting. Following the volun- 
teer talks, an invitation to enroll is given both the liter- 
ates and illiterates who are present. A volunteer teach- 
er is then assigned to the school, and the time of open- 
ing agreed on. The county superintendent and teach- 
er are present at the appointed time. 

The first meetings thus far held in Dale county have 
been successful in every particular, because they were 
properly worked up. Those who attended have gone 
to their homes, champions of the cause, and are proving 
instrumental in securing the attendance of others. 

The teachers of the three schools mentioned in this 
report continue active in their efforts to find other adult 
pupils and are successful. When a pupil is once en- 
rolled he begins to look for another; a number have al- 
ready been reached in this way. 

I was impressed with the statement made by the 
teachers, that their schools continue to grow and that 
they have lost no pupils after once enrolling them. 

The commission, teachers and others have been very 
tactful in handling the whole situation, and as a result 
they have secured a ready response from those whom 
they would assist. 

The commission uses a very attractive and effective 
letterhead for its correspondence. I am herewith at- 
taching a copy. 

Kespectfully submitted, 

J. B. Hobdy, 
Rural School Agent. 



31 



Hal? (Emmig JUtte rarg GlrimmtBsum. 



appointed by Blabama Illiteracy Commission, and to serve 
without pay 10 assist all VUblts persons In Kale County 
o' 10 or more years of age to learn to read and to write-* 



OZARK, ALA, July 14th, 1915. 



R L. MARCHMAN. CHAIRMAN. 

PiNCK&Ha ALA 

M DOWLINC. SECRETARY, 
Ozakk ALA. 



DR. W u MIXSON. 
MiOLAhOClTV, ALA 

Ml6SM«ftY OEAN, 

AHIiON. ALA. 

MRS J.'M. CaRMICHAEL. 

OZ.HK, ALA- 



1493 Illiterate Wliite'fti'f. ; 
sous in Dale County of 10 "J 

aud more years of age. \ 



636" Illiterate White Vo- 
ters in i)aie County. 



005 White Women in Dale ] 
Couuty can neither read J 
nor wiite. j 

| 
i 

•ica White Korsons from j 

10 to 20 years old in Dale ] 

County can not write their j 

names. 



To assist in removing 11. 
literacy from Dale County 
volunteer service is solicited 
from teachers,/ ministers, 
farmers, merchants, -musi- 
cians, lawyers, doctors and 
public spirited citizens. 



Wr.J.B.Hobdy, 
Rural School Agent, 
Jfontf;oiiery,Ala. 
Dear Sir:- 

The enclosed copy of school report 
shows the signature of Mr . S . J . Anons who has 
Just learned to write his-nacie. Hr. Anons ie 
a trustee of Echo school, and is attending 
the school for adults at that place. I an 
sending this report according to ny prom- 
ise to you a few days ago. 

Yours truly, 



/?.^^^^4u^a^/ 



Co.Supt.of Education. 



trict Trustee. 



We approve the above report 



\fyy\AMfi±h. 



' District.. 
Trustees 



-Dist. 



! teachers* monthly reports must be kept on file in the office of tb 
fy superintendent should bind the teachers' reports for each month il 

Ration of your county should pass a general resolution authorizing, 
rho has filled out and filed with you a monthly report in accordance 
Ni^cogjact of aiich tether m madewjtiwtheCounty Board. In/ 



ILLITERACY MUST GO. 



ard. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



019 736 400 2 



